Blog of pastry chef David Lebovitz, author of Room For Dessert, Ripe For Dessert, The Great Book of Chocolate and The Perfect Scoop. Dessert and chocolate recipes using seasonal fruit and berries, and writing about Paris, including travel tips and stories about living the sweet life in Paris.

The Longest Month of My Life

10 comments - 07.31.2005

"Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos..."

-Don Kardong
1976 Olympic Marathoner

10 Comments

By jess on July 31, 2005 4:15 PM

Condolences. Perhaps this is why all the Parisians leave in August- what reason is there to stay?

By Alisa on July 31, 2005 4:57 PM

okay....when do they re-open?
Must go!

.....and who would EVER think that an ice cream shop would close in the summer?

bisous

By judy witts on July 31, 2005 5:09 PM

I feel the same way about Florence.One is forced to take a vacation ( which for me is just staying home in the countryside instead of going into the city to work)

By becca on July 31, 2005 10:55 PM

my sentiments exactly!

By Ash on August 1, 2005 4:27 AM

It happens here in Holland too, its ghastly. Even worse, come the winter, no-one sells ice cream anyway because its 'too cold'. Hah.

By Richard AB on August 1, 2005 2:18 PM

Use this time to go on a diet. That way temptation is closed for the month.

By Shira on August 4, 2005 5:39 AM

Sorry to jump in with something less pithy. Haven't been in Paris in August for some years, considering a quick hop across the pond over the last weekend of the month. How restricted will the interesting bistro eating (not nec. fine restaurants) and market shopping be?
Thanks

By David on August 4, 2005 6:31 AM

Hi Shira: Lots of people love coming to Paris in August. Although it can be hot (very), there are less people and tourists, and you have the place to yourself. Most of the markets are open, but with few vendors, and many places are closed (although you can find some open as well...you won't starve!) Raimo ice cream, which I noted, is open as summer for your ice cream fix, but I believe a good number of old-fashioned bistros should be open and not too crowded.

By John on August 4, 2005 9:01 AM

David! But why are you staying in Paris during the annual fermature when all sensible people have fled? Shouldn't you be basking on the cote d'azur? You sexy thing, you, woof woof!

By Christine on September 5, 2005 5:38 PM

I took that exact picture myself last week before it reopened! We must be Berthillon soul mates.